Oxebar Keg?

[ba-brewer]

The slimline ones? I have heard that the slimline versions hold less than stated. I have several of the "2.5 gallon" standard ones, and they hold about 2.8 gallons up to the gas post and about 2.9 gallons right to the rim. The kegs themselves are marked "10L / 2.6 gallon."

Overall I am very happy with the small Torpedo kegs. I splurged on 2 of them at $80 each (now they are $110 at MoreBeer) and I got another 2 from a friend (along with a 3.5 gallon Ss Brewtech Brew Bucket). But while I love having the four small kegs, the current $440 price point would be very hard to justify.

Yes they are the slimline version. Good to know the standard size hold more beer. I brew quite a bit of smaller 2 and 3gal batches so I like small kegs for those.

I live close to morebeer and they have seasonal instore sales so I picked mine up a few years back at the lower price with a discount which made the cost more palatable. I bought my cannonballs from NB at a discount too during their sales.

 

[solsbrew]

Man those are cool, but too tall for my fridge. I use 2.6 gallon kegs that top out at 15.5 inches and I can just squeeze them on the top shelf of my fridge. Those are 20.5 inches not including the Ball Lock Adapter which probably brings it 24 inches. No way I can get one of those upright...if I had a dedicated fridge however... I wish they were wider and shorter.

 

[Malticulous]

Man those are cool, but too tall for my fridge. I use 2.6 gallon kegs that top out at 15.5 inches and I can just squeeze them on the top shelf of my fridge. Those are 20.5 inches not including the Ball Lock Adapter which probably brings it 24 inches. No way I can get one of those upright...if I had a dedicated fridge however... I wish they were wider and shorter.

Kegland says it can be used sideways. You can pour the last glass right out of the bottle.

 

[solsbrew]

Kegland says it can be used sideways. You can pour the last glass right out of the bottle.

Really? Hmm...I maybe I'll get a couple and see how it goes.

 

[mscroggi]

Any updates from anyone? Have they performed well? That is a fabulous price to do kegging. They can tolerate 58PSI. They don't have the seepage of PET bottles.

I am really intrigued by these kegs. Anyone?

 

[khannon]

I bought 4 (8L) kegs, and 4 of the heads.. I have poured through 2 at this point.
Initial thoughts were:
Not standard 2L threading, which was updated in the description, a little too late for me.
Really "plastic" smell when opening. Did not seem to affect the beer.
Really fiddly heads that took a while to get them straight to not leak.

I used them. I like:
the format/size
the price(maybe), at least I'm not out a ton if I leave them somewhere etc..

I dislike:
I don't always get as good a connection with the ball-lock connectors which seemed to result in "hammering" until I adjusted the connector or held it tight through the pour.
when cleaning them, do not try to empty if full by just turning them upside down, they collapse, and seems like that might be bad long-term.
The "feet" seem really dinged up. I don't feel I abused them. I do have concrete floors in my basement, but it goes beyond scratches into "dents" which again, seem like will be a wearing point over time.
I don't feel comfortable cleaning as hot as stainless, fortunately Liquid PBW exists now.

I'm neutral on:
Not being able to get my hands inside to clean. This is somewhat offset by the ability to see the insides. I run a lot of standard sixtel kegs, so not too big a deal.

Over all, I think they are going to be more than used stainless kegs, less than brand new ones. This depends on how long they last I suppose. Again, the format seems nice, and they are pretty portable, and with the flexible dip tube, can be loaded on their sides..

Of note, I left a review on morebeer, I will be updating that review as not quite as negative in the next few days. They were responsive but not responsible for issues I had.

 

[Drewch]

I bought 4 (8L) kegs, and 4 of the heads.. I have poured through 2 at this point.
Initial thoughts were:
Not standard 2L threading, which was updated in the description, a little too late for me.
Really "plastic" smell when opening. Did not seem to affect the beer.
Really fiddly heads that took a while to get them straight to not leak.

I used them. I like:
the format/size
the price(maybe), at least I'm not out a ton if I leave them somewhere etc..

I dislike:
I don't always get as good a connection with the ball-lock connectors which seemed to result in "hammering" until I adjusted the connector or held it tight through the pour.
when cleaning them, do not try to empty if full by just turning them upside down, they collapse, and seems like that might be bad long-term.
The "feet" seem really dinged up. I don't feel I abused them. I do have concrete floors in my basement, but it goes beyond scratches into "dents" which again, seem like will be a wearing point over time.
I don't feel comfortable cleaning as hot as stainless, fortunately Liquid PBW exists now.

I'm neutral on:
Not being able to get my hands inside to clean. This is somewhat offset by the ability to see the insides. I run a lot of standard sixtel kegs, so not too big a deal.

Over all, I think they are going to be more than used stainless kegs, less than brand new ones. This depends on how long they last I suppose. Again, the format seems nice, and they are pretty portable, and with the flexible dip tube, can be loaded on their sides..

Of note, I left a review on morebeer, I will be updating that review as not quite as negative in the next few days. They were responsive but not responsible for issues I had.

Thanks for the detailed review

I'm probably gonna try to a set after we get past the holiday budget stress

 

[GoodTruble]

I have 4. They are useful as a compliment to steel kegs, but I would not plan on using them as a replacement. I use them primarily to send to friends' kegerators when I don't want to brew extra full size keg of beer. Instead, I just scale up 5 gallon batches to 7 gallons to keg a 5 gallon keg and then one of these.

I was more excited about these before the costs amongst doubled while waiting for US release. Now, 2.5 gallon steel kegs for $60 more is a closer call.

But these definitely have a use/place.

 

[Malticulous]

The only issue I'm having with mine is that the feet are showing wear and denting in for setting them down on the concrete floor when full. That probably will be the point of failure. I have to be more careful.

 

[GoodTruble]

I've 'kegged' in them several times. They work and hold pressure well. I've encountered small air leaks where the caps screw onto the tapping head. Those can be a bit touchy, and I used plumbers tape when I couldn't manage to get an airtight seal just by screwing/unscrewing. I'm yet to have any liquid leak, but note, because of the tube and elbow joint, you have very limited abiltiy to screw/unscrew the liquid cap once it's assembled. So need to get that one right on the front end, or it's tricky to fix.

But I like them and will definitely keep using them for certain purposes (mostly friends home taps).

Also, the carrier handle can't fully extend on the front-side of the tapping head (cap-side). You need to swing it around the back when the tapping head is on. It has not happened to me, but I could see the extending handle putting too much pressure on the cap-side of a full keg and breaking the seal and/or cracking the plastic head. I don't think these things are durable enough to handle much rough or careless treatment when full.

I have not had a problem with the bottom feet yet, but I could definitely see that being an issue. Wonder if you could just stick little felt circles on the bottom? Or pull a stocking hat over the bottom?

 

[CascadesBrewer]

BTW, I see that the 4L versions are listed on the Kegland site. I am curious when these will make it to the US. Maybe @KegLand can let us know!

https://www.kegland.com.au/4l-oxebar-mono-polymer-pco38-keg-with-cap-and-handle.html

 

[Zambezi Special]

I've seen them on the site, but they come up as "out of stock"

 

[amr]

I emailed them about the 4L keg and it looks like they haven't received it in stock in their warehouses as yet. It was supposed to be available by December itself but it's Feb and there's probably no saying when we will get it in-stock.

 

[mscroggi]

I emailed them about the 4L keg and it looks like they haven't received it in stock in their warehouses as yet. It was supposed to be available by December itself but it's Feb and there's probably no saying when we will get it in-stock.

I too am waiting on them.. You can sign up to get notified when they (eventually) show up.

 

[Yesfan]

Can the tapping head work on a standard 2L bottle? I have the Kegland Tee with ball locks on it, but the combined height of that on a 2L makes it too tall for my fridge's door shelf.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

I emailed them about the 4L keg and it looks like they haven't received it in stock in their warehouses as yet. It was supposed to be available by December itself but it's Feb and there's probably no saying when we will get it in-stock.

Was "them" Kegland? I see the India tag in your profile. Do you typically order directly from Kegland? I am willing to guess you don't have a shop down the road that is fully stocked with the latest gear from Kegland, right? It seems like it often takes a few months for products to make there way to the US sellers like MoreBeer and William's.

Can the tapping head work on a standard 2L bottle? I have the Kegland Tee with ball locks on it, but the combined height of that on a 2L makes it too tall for my fridge's door shelf.

I am almost positive the answer to that is: No, the Oxebar kegs have a much bigger opening than a standard 2L soda bottle.

 

[Zambezi Special]

I'll be able to tell you in a couple of days. Picking up my 8 litre one on Monday
Kegland (and/or David Heath) makes a big issue about the size of the lid being industry standard....

 

[khannon]

Can the tapping head work on a standard 2L bottle? I have the Kegland Tee with ball locks on it, but the combined height of that on a 2L makes it too tall for my fridge's door shelf.

I can confirm the answer is no. The head is too big. They did make a big deal of it being industry standard, It's just not the same standard as other PET "Soda" bottles. I had to buy some to find out the hard way.

 

[Yesfan]

Thanks for the confirmations guys.

 

[Zambezi Special]

@khannon is correct.
It's a different size.

The carbonation cap pumping kit does fit on a "normal" pet bottle, but that doesn't help much.
(Although I have a feeling something is possible there. Just haven't figured it out yet. Wondering if it is possible to put a co2 source on the pumping side)

 

[amr]

Was "them" Kegland? I see the India tag in your profile. Do you typically order directly from Kegland? I am willing to guess you don't have a shop down the road that is fully stocked with the latest gear from Kegland, right? It seems like it often takes a few months for products to make there way to the US sellers like MoreBeer and William's.

I am almost positive the answer to that is: No, the Oxebar kegs have a much bigger opening than a standard 2L soda bottle.

Sorry about the delay. "Them" is indeed kegland. I had a friend coming in from Australia and hence asked kegland if it would be available in the timeframe that he was scheduled to fly out. Unfortunately, it is still not in stock. I did get the 8L keg though and it seems great.

I can confirm that the opening is much larger than a standard PET bottle and will not work with the 2L bottles. That said. the tee piece works perfectly fine. Don't have a prv but you can just slowly unscrew the top and it will be just fine.

 

[Zambezi Special]

Yeah, I'm in the process of ordering a couple more things and tempted to get the carbonation T and 2 carbonation caps
So in short: the oxebar has a bigger fitting, but they reduce size after that to "standard" pet bottle (via the tapping head)

 

[Zambezi Special]

Double post

 

[mjc999]

I can confirm the answer is no. The head is too big. They did make a big deal of it being industry standard, It's just not the same standard as other PET "Soda" bottles. I had to buy some to find out the hard way.

99.99% sure it will fit on a standard 3L PET soda bottle. I don’t have one, but I have the cap from one (that I used on an old 1 gal draft set up) and it fit the oxebar kegs I have.

 

[tyhawkins9]

I've been making soda water and ever clear spiked soda, and these have been my comments so far.
1. Make sure you crank down and seal the screw caps. Check, and then check again.
2. I've washed them a few times with clear oxyclean, and still get a bit of plastic taste
3. the diptube into the silicone elbow is a pain when you screw it on. Takes a few tries
4. I can now fit 2 sixtels, 1 corney and 2 of these into my 5.5 cu keezer. I've for more beer on tap than some of the local bars.

 

[Zambezi Special]

Totally agree on number 3!
I got them on but it was a bit of a mission. Not much space for your fingers

I made cider from store bought apple juice and didn't notice a plastic taste.
Might have been masked by the stronger flavour of the juice

I had no issue tightening the screw caps.

I have a batch of beer (kölsch-like) and another apple juice (cider) on the go

 

[rallenhall]

Have been brewing with a friend who has a smallish kegerator but wanted more varieties on tap and bought a couple of Oxebars. Have never noticed a plastic taste, but the screw caps do need to be torqued down (I rim the lip with keg lube for a bit of insurance). The silicone elbow for the down tube is the weak link. After one slipped off we zip-tied all of the elbow connections.

 

[matt_m]

Anyone try these for cleaning kegs? I'm considering ordering a pair (with one head) for that use. One I'd keep BLC in, the other would get filled for rinsing. I already always keep a keg full of sanitizer since that's how I purge kegs before transfers.

 

[Off Balance Brewing]

I wouldn't spend the money. I just use the kegland hand pump attachment to a pet bottle. Any pet bottle works for cleaner.

Anyone try these for cleaning kegs? I'm considering ordering a pair (with one head) for that use. One I'd keep BLC in, the other would get filled for rinsing. I already always keep a keg full of sanitizer since that's how I purge kegs before transfers.

 

[matt_m]

I wouldn't spend the money. I just use the kegland hand pump attachment to a pet bottle. Any pet bottle works for cleaner.

Even better--never saw that before!